The Medieval walls of Totnes enclosed an oval area about 350 yards by 200 yards, placed on a natural defensive line acoss the slopes of the hill. They were probably on the site of the stockade of the Saxon burh (see SX 86 SW 1). The first murage grant was received in 1264, and a second in 1335. Little remains of the wall, although its course is easily traceable in the modern street plan. Between the North Gate (SX 86 SW 12) and East Gate (SX 86 SW 10) the wall serves as a retaining wall, and houses have been built on its line.

From the East Gate to the site of the West Gate (SX 76 SE15), the wall can be seen only at the top of a vennel leading to Tower cottage. A semi-circular tower projects about 5 feet in front of the wall, with an internal diameter of 6 feet. It appears to be bonded into the wall.

The West Gate has been destroyed, and the line of the walls to the castle is not certain. (See SX 86 SW 15; site of South Gate or Shambles Gate. SX 86 SW 64; 14th century tower). (3-4)

The town walls mainly date to the late 14th century with extensive repairs in 1639. Remains of the defences survive, as follows:

(i) No 73 fore Street (SX 80286043) incorporated part of the Medieval town wall on its west side.

(ii) The lower part of the wall can be seen between the rear gateway of No 2 High Street and No 1 South Street, and south- west of no 1 (Length 'B', as above). It is of random Devonian limestone rubble. Grade II.

(iii) The Baste Wall, extensively repaired circa 1639, runs along the centre of South Street, from opposite No 3 to a point west of No 13 (SX 80206035 - SX 80066038). It consists of the outer face of the curtain wall, of Devonian limestone rubble with a modern parapet. the siting of the Baste Walls suggests that the northern raised section of South Street may originally have been a rampart walk. Grade II.

(iv) Possible defensive tower at the rear of No 2 High Street (approx SX 80276040).

(v) Remains of the wall survive at the North Gate. (5)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 25" 1886

( 2) Field Investigators Comments

F1 GWR 16-AUG-51

( 3) Royal Archaeological Institute The Archaeological Journal

(C Fox) 114 - 1957 Page(s)174-6

( 4) by Hilary L Turner 1971 Town defences in England and Wales: an architectural and documentary study AD 900-1500